Photo credit: BBC
Anti-immigration riots broke out in Dublin on Tuesday night, and several people, including a girl, were injured.
The Mirror reports that the disorder broke out near Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin. The violence erupted after the alleged sexual assault of a child, thought to be the girl in question.
Objects were hurled at police protecting the hotel. The hotel currently houses migrants. A police van was set alight in harrowing scenes. In footage seen online, young men are heard shouting: “Get them out” as the projectiles ran down on the officers.
Six people were arrested, and the Irish police service, the gardai or An Garda Siochana, said one of its officers suffered a foot injury in the disorder. In a statement, the force said: “This was not a peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure.”
The sexual assault allegedly happened near the hotel on Monday. Locals had, as a result, planned a protest on Tuesday evening, but the scenes turned ugly by around 9 pm.
In the clip, people – including many wearing face coverings – are pictured waving Irish flags and chanting. Objects, including stones, are then thrown at police officers in the shocking video.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: “An Garda Síochána facilitate peaceful protest on a daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardai.”
Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said that those involved in the violence will be brought to justice. He said: “The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned.
“People threw missiles at gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardai. Those involved will be brought to justice.”
